Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, May 2, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 27 TO 37 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...21 TO
31 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 64 TO 74 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...46 TO 56 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 31 TO 41 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 23 TO 33
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SATURDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 63 TO 73 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...43 TO 53 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SATURDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS IN THE
EVENING. LOWS 32 TO 42 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...24 TO 32 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 65 TO 75 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...44 TO 54 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. LOWS 32 TO 42 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...23 TO 33 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR. HIGHS 68 TO 78 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...49 TO 59 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. LOWS 34 TO 44 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...25 TO 35 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East southeast wind 5
to 10 mph becoming west.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind between 7 and 10
mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming west
southwest between 8 and 11 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind between
6 and 9 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East northeast wind at 11 mph
becoming west northwest.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Happening Today/This Weekend (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Drop in program: Come join the Habitat Protectors of Yosemite (HaPY)
program! Program runs Fridays from May2- October 31st. Work with park
staff to remove invasive plants and learn basic ecological principles. All
volunteers are required to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves,
sunscreen, water, and snacks are recommended. Meet in front of Yosemite
Valley Visitor Center at 9am. Bring a lunch and join us! (M. DeBree -
5/1/08)
*************************************************
Yosemite News Release
April 29, 2008
For Immediate Release
Glacier Point Road to Open in Yosemite National Park
Road to Mariposa Grove Opened April 26, 2008; Tioga Road Plowing
Progressing Well
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Mike Tollefson announced today that
the Glacier Point Road is expected to open to visitors Friday, May 2, 2008
at noon. Glacier Point is located about 30 miles from Yosemite Valley off
the Wawona Road, the section of State Highway 41 inside the park.
Restrooms along the road and the Glacier Point Snack Stand will be open to
visitors on Friday as well. Additionally, the Mariposa Grove Road opened on
April 26, 2008 for vehicles under 24 feet in length and under 7 tons. These
temporary restrictions are due to continuing wet and icy conditions on the
road.
No date has been determined for the opening of Bridalveil Campground.
Roadways may be wet due to ice and melting snow and wildlife is very active
on the Glacier Point Road. Visitors are advised to drive with caution.
An opening date for the Tioga Road (Highway 120 outside the park) which
crosses the Sierra Nevada through Yosemite National Park, has yet to be
determined. (-NPS-)
*************************************************
Recycle Your E-Waste - Free electronic waste drop off at the Mariposa
County Fairgrounds. May 2 -3, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recycle your
old TV, monitors, computer towers, keyboards, LCD screen, laptop, printers,
copiers, faxes, calculators, speakers, cell phones, telephones, stereo
systems, DVD players, VCRs. Please no batteries, light bulbs, or household
hazardous waste. For more Information please contact the Mariposa County
Fairgrounds 209.966.2432 (C. Baker - 3/28/08)
*************************************************
Argentine Tango Dance Class!! Taught by visiting instructors from
Argentina:Marcelo Molina y Carolina Vazquez
Sunday May 4th, 3:30-5:30pm, El Portal School Multi-Purpose Room
$25/person, 2 hour class, including a Dance Performance by the instructors
Bring: dance shoes with slippery soles (slippery socks work too!)
*No Partner Needed*
Sponsored by YEA and Balanced Rock Foundation - Questions? Call Myra
379-2540 (M. McKenney - 4/15/08)
New Today
Thursday, May 01, 2008. As a result of the April 21 fire that destroyed
the El Portal Market, Yosemite National Park will be moving the store
operation to the El Portal Motor Inn (currently known as the Special Park
Uses Office) for the duration of the concessionaire’s six year contract.
The Park plans to have the building ready to open as a store in nine months
time.
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Michael Tollefson announced today
that the park is starting the process to put a temporary office structure
at the site of former El Portal Market, pending the outcome of
environmental compliance analysis and after the site is cleared of any
hazardous materials. The temporary office structure is necessary because
a number of park staff are being displaced by the move of the store
function into the Special Park Uses Office building. The former El Portal
Market site, at the corner of 140 and El Portal Road, is a good choice for
a temporary office structure because it already has water lines, electric
service, a lift station already in place, sufficient parking, is not in a
residential area, and has high visibility to the public.
Park staff who currently work in the Special Park Uses Office will be moved
into various office locations throughout the park at the end of next week.
There is no date yet estimated for the completion of the temporary office
building in El Portal. (N. Nicholas - 5/2/08)
*************************************************
Tioga Road Opening Status update
May 1: Ending location 34.5 miles from crane flat in the ghost forest area.
Average snow depth: 5 feet.
The avalanche team wanted all crews west of Olmsted by 1 PM.
Gates will be placed at walker party on Friday to allow visitor access to
this point for the week end, after a hazard tree assessment is completed.
Glacier Point Opening May 2, 2008
The Wawona Ranger staff will open the road Friday morning. We will
communicate to dispatch, entrance stations, etc. that the road has been
opened.
Lower Mariposa Grove Road open as of Saturday April 25, 2008 ( With weight
restrictions on road).
No shuttles allowed on Mariposa Grove road at this time. (T. Brochini -
5/2/08)
*************************************************
National Be Bear Aware and Wildlife Stewardship Month
Did you know?
Bears loose up to 30 percent of their body weight during their winter
hibernation. Nursing sows can loose as much as 40 percent of their body
weight in this time.
Mark the Date!
May 5th – Wawona Community Center, Noon – 2 p.m. Come meet the Bear Team
and learn about Yosemite bear management! We’ll be showing the movie,
“Bears of Sequoia”, a fantastic 22-minute film on the biology and
management of black bears in the Sierra. We will also have a booth set up
with plenty of fun stuff for kids! (T. Seher - 5/2/08)
*************************************************
The Hetch Hetchy Day Use hours are 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. (C. Flores - 5/2/08)
*************************************************
Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvements (CIP 2)
The second phase of the relocation of the sewer service for Ansel Adams
Gallery, along the walking path, may continue into the week of May 5.
Begin replacement of the lateral at Res 9005 next week.
Begin replacement of lateral at Backpackers Camp next week.
Replace Gas Chlorination Systems at 5 Utility Plants
Minor items to complete the Hodgdon wastewater plant will occur next
week.
Hodgdon Meadow Generator
Work will resume the week of May 5ht.
The expected completion date is July 18, 2008. (G. Rothell - 5/2/08)
*************************************************
Wednesday's Lions Club Blood Drive yielded 51 pints of the Gift of Life!
There were many new donors to the Central California Blood Bank, including
several spontaneous donations from Yosemite visitors. The Lions Eyemobile
gave 15 free eye exams, including a screening test for glaucoma. Thanks
again, Yosemite community, for sharing with those in need. We look forward
to seeing you in October for the Fall Blood Drive in El Portal! (D. Stewart
- 5/2/08)
*************************************************
Lisa Domingues: Many of you may know Lisa, she has worked at the Yosemite
Valley day care for nearly 20-years. She is raising her 10-year old son
and currently lives in Midpines. Lisa was born and raised in Yosemite, has
many relatives and friends who love and appreciate her kind spirit,
gorgeous smile, and for taking excellent care of our children from diapers
through the grade school years. Lisa has recently been diagnosed with
terminal cancer (which has yet to slow her down or stop her from smiling).
She is, however, preparing for her son's future. A bank account has been
set up in her son's name at the Yosemite Bank in Mariposa. All donations
are appreciated and Lisa thanks you in advance for your kindness.
Donations can be made to: Chaska Colvin, Yosemite Bank Account number
#307005140. Contact Charity at the Yosemite Day care center for ways to
assist, 372-4819. (V. McMichael - 5/2/08)
Construction News
Swinging Bridge Accessibility Improvements Project
Construction for accessibility improvements at the Swinging Bridge Picnic
area will be the week of April 28, 2008. This projects is part of a larger
project effort to improve accessibility at five day-use areas throughout
the park. The contractor will fence off the areas to be improved including
several parking spaces for vehicle and material staging. Construction will
continue for the next two weeks. (J. Chisum - 4/28/08)
Park News
A workshop for the new Merced River Plan on Saturday, May 10th. The
objectives are as follows: (1) Discuss the implications of the 9th Circuit
Court of Appeals’ ruling on the Revised Merced River Plan; (2) Discuss the
new direction and scope of the new Merced River planning process; and (3)
Discuss the future of the public planning process; what is working and what
can be improved?
If you are interested in attending this, please RSVP to Elexis Mayer by
Wednesday, May 7, at the address above or at (209) 379-1377. (J. Nersesian
- 4/29/08)
Announcements
Effective April 29, Camp 4 will be staffed daily by a ranger. As a
reminder, no day-use parking is allowed in the Camp 4 parking lot (cars
must be registered in Camp 4). (M. Carter - 4/29/08)
*************************************************
Leave Share Participants
Currently, YOSE leave share participants are:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
You can find leave share participants Servicewide on InsideNPS at:
http://insidenps.gov/index.cfm?handler=leaveshare
If you are interested in contributing annual leave, please do so by
completing a Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient (Within
Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, OPM Form 630-A. A fillable PDF
version of the OPM 630-A may be found at:
http://opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm630a.pdf (T. Hawkins - 1/31/07)
HR Corner
DETAIL / TEMPORARY PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY
The Project Management Division, Environmental Planning and Compliance
Branch is offering an opportunity for a 120 day detail / temporary
promotion (if qualified) to Environmental Compliance Specialist, GS-09/11.
This opportunity will provide the opportunity to learn about the practices
and procedures used nationally by the NPS to conduct and facilitate
planning and compliance activities. The position would allow an employee to
gain experience in elements of both the National Environmental Policy Act
and the National Historic Preservation Act.
This opportunity is open to permanent career/career-conditional employees
of Yosemite National Park. This is an interdisciplinary position that can
be filled by: Geographer, GS-150, Ecologist, GS-0408 or Resource Management
Specialist, GS-0401.
If interested, please obtain your supervisor's approval, and submit a
resume to Irma Keheley, Human Resource Office, El Portal, no later than May
12, 2008. (I. Keheley - 4/30/08)
Community News
YOSEMITE RENAISSANCE XXIII ART EXHIBIT open at the Yosemite Museum Gallery
through May 4, 2008, Fridays through Mondays, 10 - Noon and 1 - 4 PM.
TAKE SOME ART HOME! Most of the works of art are available for sale, with
one-quarter of the proceeds going to support the Renaissance non-profit
arts organization, and the rest to the artist.
This year, from a near-record number of 465 entries, 38 paintings,
photographs, sculptures and drawings by 34 artists from across the country
were selected, and six prize-winners were named and received $4000 in cash
awards. This year's exhibit is unquestionably one of the best and includes
a broad range of works from the representational to the abstract to the
conceptual. Local artists in the exhibit include: Linda R. Abbott, Susan
Bolen, Elizabeth Carmel, Michael Frye, Marian Gault, Peggy Hansen, Mark
Heliger, William Neill, Penny Otwell, Jon Shiu, and Carol Rae Shockley. (J.
Bayless & B. Beroza - 3/26/08)
*************************************************
6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. It is the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation,
and is supported by the California Arts Council, SierraTel, the James
Irvine
Foundation, Mariposa County, and the Geoff and Josie Fox Family
Foundation, a Donor Advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community
Foundation. We are also generously supported by Iron Mountain Systems and
Stonecutter.com. The views expressed by the films, in print materials, or
by discussion facilitators are not necessarily those of these funders.
This activity is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state
agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a national agency. Monthly
membership is $12, allowing film entry for $3 each; non-members pay $7, and
non-member students pay only $5. Film/theater information: (209) 966-1333
or http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org Staff: 209 742-6666.
E-mail us: sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
There will be no films this coming weekend, May 2-3.
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. PANGEA DAY. (FREE
ADMISSION).Pangea was the super continent that existed about 250 million
years ago, before each of the component continents were separated, and
drifted into their current configuration.
In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and
conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day
is a global event to bring the world together through film. Pangea Day
seeks to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film.
Locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de
Janeiro will be linked for a live program of powerful films, live music,
and visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven
languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet,
television, and mobile phones. The 24 short films to be featured have been
selected based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see
the world through another person's eyes. For more information, go to the
official Pangea Day site: http://www.pangeaday.org/ (T. Arfsten - 4/29/08)
*************************************************
Valley School Cinco de Mayo - Please join us in front of the Valley
VisitorCenter on the 5th of May in celebrating the Cinco de Mayo with the
Yosemite Valley School. We will be serving a Mexican Lunch from 11:30 A.M
to l: 30 P.M, and the Valley School kids will be performing authentic
Mexican Dance. We will be raffling off some great Yosemite Art. All
proceeds will go to benefit the Yosemite Valley School. (W. Fontana -
4/22/08)
Acting Designation
HR Specialist Charlotte Randolph will be out of the park from May 2 through
May 19, 2008. If you have any employee relations, classification, or
employee development issues or questions, please contact Heather Whitman
in her absence. (H. Whitman - 5/2/08)
*************************************************
John Barton is acting Roads & Trails Branch Chief on May, 2nd and May
5th. He can be reached @ 379-1052 or leave a message with Beth Benitag @
379-1057. (B. Benitag - 5/2/08)
*************************************************
Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief for History,
Architecture & Landscapes on Friday, May 2nd. (D. Humphrey - 5/2/08)
*************************************************
For the month of May, Mike and Kevin have asked me to backfill for Kevin
while he is on leave. I will continue my duties as AO from the Valley and
you can contact me there as needed. However, there will be times when I
may not be available to address some issues in Admin. During those times
please feel free to contact the following administration branch chiefs for
assistance. They have authority to make decisions and adjust
administration resources to meet your needs when I'm not available.
May 5th - 9th Dayna Jackson 379-1874
May 12th - 15th Dan Sohn 379-1173
May 18th - 22nd Lorene Schafer 379-1873
May 26th - 30th Skip Sheets 379-1195 (L. Harris - 5/1/08)
*************************************************
Ansley Rothell will be the Acting Emergency Communications Center Manager
May 1-9. (N. Bissmeyer - 4/30/08)
*************************************************
I will be out of the office starting 04/28/2008 and will not return until
05/05/2008. In an emergency please contact Brian Sprague at 379-1227. (L.
Sheetz - 4/29/08)
*************************************************
Dave Miller is acting Supervisor for El Portal Roads & Solid Waste until
July 5th. Dave can be reached at 379-1120 or leave a message with Beth
Benitag @ 379-1057. (B.Benitag - 4//14/08)
_______________________________
